Business Daily Media

Men's Weekly

.

Inaugural Asia-Pacific Heart Summit Opens with Urgent Call for Action on Cardiovascular Disease and Health Equity

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 18 October 2024 - The inaugural Asia-Pacific Heart Summit kicked-off today in Bangkok, bringing together over 100 delegates from across the region to confront the urgent need for greater public and policy awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death in the Asia-Pacific.

Co-hosted by the Thailand Ministry of Public Health-Department of Medical Services (MOPH-DMS), the National Health Security Office (NHSO), and the Asia-Pacific Cardiovascular Disease Alliance, the Heart Summit highlights the pressing need to address the low levels of awareness despite the devastating impact of CVD.

The Burden of Disease
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is responsible for a devastating 19 deaths every minute and over 10 million deaths annually across the Asia-Pacific region, yet public awareness and policy focus on this pressing issue remain critically low. With the economic toll of CVD exceeding USD $177 billion in direct healthcare costs, vulnerable communities—especially those in rural and underserved areas—are disproportionately affected. 1

As home to 60% of the world's population, Asia-Pacific is marked by immense diversity in ethnicity, culture, and socioeconomic status, and faces unique challenges in both the prevention and treatment of CVD. The leading risk factors—including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity—are intricately linked to broader societal factors like healthcare, education, and urban planning. Although these risk factors are largely preventable with early identification and intervention1, a lack of sufficient health education and awareness is contributing to their alarming rise.

Lower- and middle-income countries in the region face additional hurdles, including gaps in medical infrastructure, a shortage of CVD specialists, and limited access to quality healthcare, particularly in rural areas where resources are scarce compounding the issues further.1 The Summit seeks to bridge these gaps by fostering greater collaboration and generating momentum for comprehensive action.

Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, Director General, Department of Medical Services Ministry of Public Health,Thailand, emphasized the implementation of a seamless healthcare service which encompasses four key activities for promoting health literacy and CVD prevention.

They are:

  1. Firstly, increasing public awareness of NCDs and CVD, focusing on educating communities about the risks and preventive measures;
  2. Secondly, expanding screening efforts to include comprehensive CVD risk assessments, particularly in underserved areas;
  3. Thirdly, empowering primary care providers to play a more active role in managing CVD by ensuring they have access to essential medicines and tools for effective treatment.
  4. And finally, enhancing surveillance systems by developing national registries and databases for NCDs and risk factors, which will enable better tracking and tailored interventions.

The Summit also emphasizes the importance of developing cohesive CVD strategies and of integrating innovative national policies inclusive of digital technologies, as well as sustainable healthcare financing to combat CVD effectively. Japan's Cerebrovascular and Cardiovascular Disease Control Act is presented as a model, showing how policy innovation can drive improvements in public health systems across the region.

Discussions will also focus on developing sustainable financing mechanisms to ensure equitable access to care, prioritizing the needs of the high-risk populations. Although both men and women are affected by CVD, the impact on women is frequently under-recognized, and treatment solutions are often not designed with their specific needs in mind. It is crucial to build gender-responsive strategies that address the unique barriers women face in CVD diagnosis and care, while also acknowledging the differences in how the disease affects men and women.

A Call for Collective Action

Dr. Panthep Khananuraksa, Expert, National Health Security Office, Thailand, reinforced their commitment to creating lasting change: "Despite the enormous toll CVD takes on lives, there is still a gap in public understanding and policy focus. Cardiovascular disease, including stroke and ischemic heart disease (IHD), is responsible for the highest number of CVD-related deaths in Thailand.

Our commitment to combating CVD is grounded in the need to raise awareness. This first Heart Summit is a starting point for creating lasting change, where all communities, regardless of their location or circumstances, have access to the care and prevention tools they need to reduce these preventable deaths. Collaboration across multiple stakeholders, including the public and patient groups, will be critical to ensuring we build a system that serves everyone effectively." added Dr. Panthep.

Dr. N Krishna Reddy, CEO of ACCESS Health International and a representative of the Asia-Pacific Cardiovascular Disease Alliance, highlighted: "As we gather at the Asia-Pacific Heart Summit, we are not just discussing cardiovascular disease; we are charting a new course for comprehensive care. CVD requires an all-hands-on-deck, multi-stakeholder approach. Everyone has a role to play—from governments and civil society organizations to the private sector and healthcare industry across the region. Our collective efforts in prevention, treatment, and policy will shape a future where cardiovascular health is prioritized and accessible for all."

Moving Forward
The Summit will conclude on 19 October 2024, with a Call to Action encouraging governments and stakeholders to join forces in implementing critical measures and actionable strategies to address CVD in the region. Additionally, the World Heart Federation will highlight global policy advocacy priorities required to address the gaps in awareness and prepare for the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs, where cardiovascular disease will be a key focus.

***

Notes to Editor:
1Asia-Pacific CVD Burden Report, APAC CVD Alliance, 2024 (https://apac-cvd.org/publications/)

More information can be found on the Summit's website: https://apac-cvd.org/asia-pacific-heart-summit/. More content and the Call to Action to be will be made available after the event.
Hashtag: #Asia-PacificCardiovascularDiseaseAlliance


The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About the Co-Hosts:

Thailand Ministry of Public Health - Department of Medical Services (MOPH-DMS):
The MOPH-DMS leads Thailand’s public healthcare initiatives, focusing on the prevention, treatment, and management of major health challenges, including cardiovascular disease.

National Health Security Office (NHSO):
The NHSO ensures equitable access to healthcare services for all Thai citizens through its Universal Health Coverage scheme, with a focus on strengthening health systems and improving care for non-communicable diseases such as CVD.

Asia-Pacific Cardiovascular Disease Alliance (APAC CVD Alliance):
The APAC CVD Alliance is a coalition of stakeholders committed to transforming cardiovascular health in the region by promoting multisectoral collaboration, innovative care models, and policy reform.

News from Asia

Cushman & Wakefield and Corenet Global Release New Survey Results On "What Occupiers Want"

Cost remains king, but talent, flexibility, and service are reshaping real estate strategy globally HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 2 July 2025 - Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK), in ...

Chubb Life Hong Kong Launches Chubb 1792 Club: A New Era in Tailored Wealth Management Services

With a legacy of excellence, expertise, and a bold vision, Chubb Life HK is meeting rising demand for sophisticated, future-focused financial planning through bespoke legacy and wealth solutions HO...

Octa broker's take on the upcoming NFP report

KUALA LUMPUR - Media OutReach Newswire - 2 July 2025 - This Thursday at 12:30 p.m. UTC, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its highly anticipated Nonfarm Payroll (NFP) report...

OneMagnify India earns Best Place to Work certification for the fourth consecutive year

CHENNAI, INDIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 2 July 2025 - OneMagnify, a global leader in marketing, data, and technology solutions, has once again been recognized as a Best Place to Work in India ...

BeauEver Secures NZ Prime Minister’s Support in Historic China Summit to Accelerate Global Skincare Expansion

SHANGHAI, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 2 July 2025 - At the 2025 China–New Zealand Trade Innovation Summit, New Zealand Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Christopher Luxon, witnessed the officia...

Central Europe Technologies recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Romania for 2025

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 2 July 2025 – Central Europe Technologies has been officially recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Romania for 2025. Central Europe Techno...

CDNetworks Selected as Strategic Partner by Petrolimex Aviation to Bolster Cybersecurity with AI-Powered Cloud Platform

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 3 July 2025 - CDNetworks, the APAC-leading network to deliver edge as a service, today announced that Petrolimex Aviation, a major provider of aviation fuel...

Trade Crypto Without Purchasing It: Octa Broker About Crypto-CFDs

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 3 July 2025 - Crypto volatility poses both potentially spectacular possibilities and enormous risks. For example, by investing in crypto assets o...

Tia Lee Graces the Cover of ELLE Malaysia: A Journey of Empowerment, Evolution, and Expression

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 3 July 2025 - Global fashion and music icon Tia Lee (Lee Yu Fen) takes center stage on the cover of ELLE Malaysia, where she reflects on her multifaceted ...

Porsche Design Tower Bangkok Offers a Culinary Voyage into Iconic Living

STUTTGART, GERMANY / HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 25 June 2025 - Porsche Design Tower Bangkok hosted an exclusive dinner event in a private estate villa in Hong Kong, offering esteeme...

Beyond borders: Building a scalable strategy for international hiring

For many Australian businesses, growth increasingly depends on thinking beyond local borders.  As wage pressures rise, and specialised talent pool...

The Next Generation of Maritime Sustainable Solutions

As organizations globally seek innovative ways to improve sustainability and their impact on Earth, the American Waterways Operators (AWO), a lead...

Demand for Home Batteries surges as Federal Rebate Kicks In

A leading provider of energy solutions VoltX Energy has seen a 400% increase in demand for home batteries in the past three weeks as people put d...

Why Sport Remains the Safest Bet in an Uncertain World

When Rome was in crisis, its leaders did not retreat to the Senate. They went to the circus. To the chariot races. To the gladiators. Sport was no...

THE FINE LINE WITHIN HILARIOUS SIGNAGE DESIGN FAILS

It seems like design failures still occur in today’s modern branding era, despite rigorous rounds of approvals behind the scenes. One signage show...

Deputy Announces Exclusive Global Partnership with Predelo to Bring AI to Shift-Based Businesses

Deputy, the global people platform for shift-based businesses, has announced an exclusive partnership with Predelo, an AI Decision Agent-as-a-Serv...

Sell by LayBy